Letters Home from a Yankee Doughboy 1916-1919

I was so happy to receive your always welcome letters and two cards. Joe dear, do you receive the letters I write you? I write every week and you surely ought to have quite a few. I am so glad you aren’t in the trenches and I hate to think what might happen to you when you are in them. Every night in my prayers I always pray for you and Jim, that you both might come back to us safe and unharmed. Yes, and I’m afraid my kid brother will have to go now, as Gen. Crowder says all men + boys from 18 to 45 must go. You must have a great time sleeping in billets with horrible rats running around. Your army life is no cinch is it. Well Joe we all hope for the best + are anxiously looking forward to when our boys come home again. Joe I am sending you a little emblem of good luck, five leaves means extra good luck, so just put it in your purse for safe keeping.

If the weather in France is any thing like its here you boys have my greatest sympathy. Yesterday it was 102 degrees in the shade, but thank heavens it’s a little cooler today. I wish it was winter time.

Ours boys are doing wonderful work in France, the papers give wonderful news which I follow very closely.

Joe, my cousin and I are going to take some pictures today and if they turn out half way decent I’ll send you a couple.

I am still going to school, how I wish I was finished.

Do you hear very often from any folks in Jamaica? Have you met any of your old friends yet? I guess chances are slim in that line. There are three brothers from here who were scarcely a mile apart and didn’t know it until they were moved to other towns. All the boys from here always write and ask where Jim is thinking they might run across him, but none have so far.

I want this letter to catch the next mail so I’ll close with lots + lots of love.

Yours for ever

Perce

PS: Excepted for the duration of the war + ever after. Get me?

Be sure + write as soon as you can. My cousin says she is going to write to you.